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Monday, April 26, 2010

Back to School!

I'm a big believer in continuing education when it comes to sewing. I've been in a bit of an academic dry spell, though, and haven't taken a class since last year. That all changes today, though - Gertie's going back to school!

I'm enrolled in "Pattern Draft Your Own Pant" taught by THE Kenneth D. King. I'm so excited! We'll be drafting a custom, perfectly fitted pant pattern. (That's trousers to you beautiful Brits!) And the good news for you lovely readers is that I will now be able to talk about pant fitting and sewing here, as several of you have requested. I love the look of a Hepburn-esque trouser, but I just find fitting so frustrating, especially for curvy ladies. (If you're interested in the class, there's another section opening up in June - check it out!)

I actually had to pack up my class supplies last night, which felt very nostalgic of the back-to-school seasons of my youth. I even joked to Jeff that I wished I had a Hannah Montana notebook to bring with me. Maybe next time?

In other exciting news, I've found a draping instructor who's going to be working with me one-on-one starting next weekend. More to come on that front!

I couldn't be more excited about these new educational opportunities - I didn't realize how much I was missing taking courses. How about you, readers? Taken any good classes lately? (Regional sewing school suggestions will be appreciated, I'm sure!) Or you prefer to learn on your own?

31 comments:

Congrats! That's pretty awesome. Not that I have a preference of learning on my own, I don't have a choice. There's nothing other than beginner's sewing classes offered in my area. Trust, if I lived anywhere close to NYC, I'd ALWAYS be in some sort of class. Heck, I'd probably be enrolled at FIT or Parsons!

I'm taking a tailoring class at FIT and my professor is Kenneth King. He's a wonderful instructor and is work is absolutely gorgeous. My work is a little wonky but I'm learning techniques and I have to remember that practice makes perfect!

I have a confession to make--I've never taken a sewing class. In fact, I have no formal training at all in sewing and very few at-home lessons in it. I didn't even own a sewing book until Christmas of last year.

The closest I've ever come to formal education in sewing was a textiles class in college, and that was about dyeing fabrics; nothing about sewing them together. I'm completely self taught.

Ooh, that sounds like so much fun! I've wanted to sign up for basic classes at the Otis School of Design here in L.A. but it's just too big of a time commitment for me right now -- however, I just found a class on altering vintage clothes that I can't wait to take!

I learned most of my techniques on the job, though all of my co-workers were pressuring me to go to FIT, but I never had the desire to. They're are parts of me that want to go and take some evening classes, but it takes around $15 to get to New York and I only live in Westchester! Secondly, I'm always worried about classmates, when I did fashion technology at a vocational high school people were really competitive to a point the stole people's markers and sewing pins. I know continuing education classes are probably are different crowd but I've always been a little unnerved at the egos fashion students have. I just keep on ordering sewing books. :D

I love learning new things or deepen my knowledge in an area I'm already familiar with! It seems to me that without development in an area I soon loose interest in it. Some things can be taught at home, but sooner or later it's back to class!I'm planning on taking a sewing class nest semester, to learn how to make a coat. This year I've been taking classes in waving lace (pictures and stuff here: http://swinginvintage.blogspot.com/2010/02/lace-mania.html).And of course there's always lindy hop. Some classes I teach, other times I get to be the student and the combintaion really is the best! =)

So far we've had two classes (out of 6 total). Interestingly, I've found out my body proportions are close to commercial patterns with the exception of my bust. I'm going to see if we can sit down one on one and do a FBA. I have a hard time doing it from a book/tutorial

WOw, that sounds great! Once more, I'm just thinking "what if I lived in NY..?" I am taking classes though, but not at home (Bergen, Norway). Last year I went to a one week course in pattern cutting at London College of Fashion, and this year I will take a course in Professional Sewing Techniques (partly inspired by you, Gertie, due to all your neat details!). Next year I hope for more pattern cutting, or maybe draping. And that's how I develop my expertise... If only I lived in NY!

How exciting! I can't wait to hear about the things you've learned through this class (and the draping one--so neat!).

I love taking sewing classes; sadly it seems that the city I live in has very few (at least, that aren't basic sewing or quiliting/crafty type classes). I used to take classes occasionally at GStreet Fabrics when I lived in Virginia, and those were always fantastic. As much as I enjoy teaching myself, sometimes there are tricks and ways of doing things that haven't been published in a book.

Gertie, my tailoring class was supposed to be taught by a different teacher but there was a last minute change and when I walked into the classroom lo and behold there stood Professor King. We're almost done with our project (buttonholes next class) and we still have 3 weeks to go! I like his pace.

I took a basic two day pattern drafting class in LA with Susanna Schick, who previously worked for designers like Betsey Johnson. I adored it! She said that some people just think like engineers when it comes to clothes, and I'm starting to think that's me. :)

Due to finances and commute, I often just end having to teach myself (read: involves four-letter words), so it's a real relief when I can take a class and someone else teaches me.

You're so lucky to have such wonderful places nearby, Gertie! I live in Chicago and the Art Institute of Chicago is amazing for taking a few classes but the steep price (THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS for 5 weeks) makes it so difficult to attend.

I would love to take classes, but we have only quilting and heirloom sewing in my city. We don't have any decent fabric stores anymore either, so I am jealous of you living in NYC!

As an aside, I really feel like this is one of the issues that keeps beginners away from sewing... lots of places it is just impossible to find someone to teach you - I had to teach myself, and my friends who want to learn are really intimidated by the machine. They would benefit from a class.

Oh, I just got a flyer from a local Fashion/Design school that offers tailoring and a fitting session - also hat-making but I'm past that phase. (Virginia Marti in Cleveland area.) I so want to take that fitting class but will have to see what my schedule looks like. Yours look like they will definitely keep you busy!

Like nearly everyone else, there are only beginner classes taught in my area. Right now I am teaching classes at JoAnn fabric and am having a great time sharing my knowledge with others. It gets my creative juices flowing and I am impressed by my own knowledge. I'm digging up tips that I had forgotten I even knew.

That sounds like an awesome class! Also, sounds like there is a a need for some more challenging garment and pattern making classes around the country. I am excited to get to attend a 3 day sewing workshop with Linda Lee in Topeka, KS this week. I would love a pattern drafting class though!

I would love to take classes on patternmaking and draping; my spontaneous past attempts are still in a box under my sewing table. When drawing out my own patterns, I usually end up with more questions than solutions and I would love to be able to just ask someone. Google is my crutch, but some things even Google doesn't know, such as: Must all bust darts be straight? And why the hell isn't this fitting right???

I just moved to a pretty small city and don't have the resources that someone in NYC would have. The library here is woefully understocked and outdated, so I am trying to learn patternmaking by trial and error and don't know anyone else who sews.

Does anyone know any really great books on Patternmaking that encompass all aspects of the subject? Even if it is a textbook (with pictures please.) Draping also. Must you take a class to learn the art?

Kenneth D. King...... i could not be more jealous!!! i lust after his book never mind being tought by him!!!!! lucky lady you!!!i have enrolled into a 1 day course for curved piecing here on the 8th of may... http://missionhallquilts.blogspot.com/

and am waiting for my youngest to get used to bedtime routines then i can go back to my Monday night class i have been going to on an off for about three years.... can't wait!!!! xx

good luck with your course looking forward to seeing a finished project of fab pants!!!

...the "quilty wilderness" lol!!I love that phrase! I'm there, also.I recently took a two day patternmaking class at Maine College of Art's continuing studies program. I loved it, but still need MORE! She will be adding more classes as time goes by. I like to take something once a year. I tried to get in last year but only 8 students are taken. Has anyone ever gone to the sewing and quilting expo that takes place yearly in several areas around the country?

Good for you taking all those classes. Am especially jealous about the draping classes. Am just finishing up a City and Guilds Level 2 in Pattern Cutting (drafting) including a tailored skirt, trousers, bodice, 1 piece dress and 2 piece dress. The trousers were horrendous work, but wonderful when finally right at the end. Being pear shaped I normally have to wear a belt with trousers. But these stay up on their own!!! Really useful course. Am hoping to do a tailoring course, and possibly a lingerie course next year, but preferably without the qualfication as the project work is rather pointless and time consuming.As usualy, always happy to any fitting details. I found your tissue fitting vlog very useful.

Here's the main book we used at FIDM: http://www.amazon.com/Patternmaking-Fashion-Design-Joseph-Armstrong/dp/0321034236

However, it doesn't give good drafting instructions. It assumes you have a basic block already, which we draped in class. It can also be drafted, though.

This one I haven't read, but its author was my teacher at FIDM and the one who taught me what I needed to know to become a very successful patternmaker: http://www.amazon.com/Patternmaking-Made-Easy-Connie-Amaden-Crawford/dp/0964951657/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277004159&sr=1-4

Your first draft of any pattern is NEVER perfect! OK, so in 14 years of making patterns, I've done some that were, but they weren't from scratch! There is always a fine-tuning stage, which is why fit models are paid so well. We need their expertise and talent for communication as much as we need them to maintain their perfectly "average" shape!

When I worked for William Calvert, I used this book (it was his copy) to draft a sleeve using the weird numbers on the L-Square. It was AMAZING! Nobody else shows that method and afaik, it's not available online or in print. Someone needs to scan the book and post it, or reprint it. http://www.cutterandtailor.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=634